Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has responded to the shocking reports of river methane contamination in Sydney’s drinking catchment by reminding the bigger parties that the Greens, farmers and residents from mining affected communities have been calling for tougher regulations on the coal and gas industry for years.
“Both Labor and the Coalition have ignored the Greens call for a moratorium. Now, with methane bubbling out of rivers, will they finally act?,” said Ms Faehrmann.
“It’s unacceptable that this government has been approving longwall mining and more recently coal seam gas exploration in Sydney’s drinking water catchments.
“Subsidence is an inevitability with longwall mining, yet we’ve seen approval after approval given for companies to mine in sensitive areas and close to rivers and dams. This is extreme madness.
“A moratorium is the only way to protect water supply from the coal and gas rush. The regulations simply aren’t there to safeguard against contamination.
“Vague commitments from the major parties for reviews over the coming years won’t prevent the scores of projects either currently underway or being assessed from ending up the same way.
“We are losing healthy catchments, productive farmland and biodiversity at an alarming rate, in a race to see how much money this government can make from selling our coal resources in the shortest time possible.
“How many more poisoned rivers and aquifers will be acceptable to Labor and the Coalition?
“Enough is enough. NSW must end the coal and gas rush before it is too late,” said Ms Faehrmann.
Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727
March 9th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Ive just finished watching your ABC news report involving the go ahead of fracking for gases in the illawarra region .I’m outraged and deeply concerned for every “living thing” that needs the surrounding waters to live.I have friends and family in Bundeena and have spent many a day enjoying the clean waters and bush land with the wonderful wildlife at your doorstep.Why can’t we learn from America, look at the sickness and devistation it has on their lives.Surely there are other sollutions. We cannot let this go on.What can been done and how can i help?
This is so Wrong!
March 11th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Yes, it was very disturbing to find out about this. My first thought was that, perhaps, the old myth about spontaneous combustion might have some basis after all.
The idea of our drinking water being poisoned in the pursuit of something that we don’t really know about or need is appalling.